Russia's Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu arrived in Tehran on Monday for discussions with Iranian leaders, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to Russia's Interfax news agency. This visit occurs amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week, which has sparked fears of a broader regional conflict. Iran has accused Israel of the assassination and vowed to retaliate, although Israeli officials have not admitted to the act. Shoigu, formerly Russia's Defense Minister before his appointment to the Security Council in May, is also scheduled to meet with Iran's National Security Chief and the head of the General Staff, Interfax reported.
Russia has strengthened its relations with Iran since the onset of its conflict with Ukraine and is reportedly preparing to sign a comprehensive cooperation agreement with the Islamic State. In February, Reuters revealed that Iran had supplied Russia with a significant number of powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missiles. The United States indicated in June that Russia seemed to be expanding its defense collaboration with Iran, having received hundreds of one-way attack drones used against Ukraine, a claim Moscow denies. Last Friday, Russia aligned with Iran in condemning the assassination of the Hamas leader, highlighting the 'extremely dangerous consequences' of such actions.
